Search found 147 matches

by bwinkel67
Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:01 pm
Forum: Z88
Topic: Transfer files to Z88
Replies: 4
Views: 1432

Re: Transfer files to Z88

I tried creating a Z88-to-Mac cable with those instructions and I get nothing. The Mac DIN-8 connector is a strange serial port but I did find this picture that helps turn it into a normal DB9 (or DE9). Still, that did not help. PC-Link is just waiting and the Mac software never finds the Z88. MacSe...
by bwinkel67
Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:55 am
Forum: ZX Spectrum Lounge
Topic: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6647

Re: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems

I'm up to 87K now. I had a second spare motor and that did even better. I'll need to check if it will now read/write files on a QL formatted cartridges when hooked to a QL. Before the second motor swap, it could get the directory listening hooked to a QL, but nothing else. I found the following feat...
by bwinkel67
Tue Apr 18, 2023 3:11 am
Forum: ZX Spectrum Lounge
Topic: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6647

Re: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems

Ok, I'm finally at 83K formatted, which is likely the best I can expect. I followed the Byte Delight refurbishment guide. https://www.bytedelight.com/?page_id=1623 So, I changed the two capacitors (0.22uf and 0.47uf) with new ones (two 1uf's). I need to locate a couple of 100pf ceramic capacitors to...
by bwinkel67
Wed Apr 12, 2023 5:56 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Lounge
Topic: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6647

Re: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems

On the motor sits a rubber roller. This can need cleaning and if heavily used in the past it's a good idea to remount it upside down so the tape is moved by the "fresh" part of the rubber. Thank you. I have used two different rubber rollers and cleaned and rotated each. There doesn't seem to be any...
by bwinkel67
Wed Apr 12, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Lounge
Topic: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6647

Re: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems

I don’t know. But has the head been cleaned? Does it look worn? If the ULA was faulty, I would not expect it to work at all. Mark I don't think the head is worn and I have cleaned it thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. The center part still looks shiny and you can still see the dis...
by bwinkel67
Tue Apr 11, 2023 6:57 am
Forum: ZX Spectrum Lounge
Topic: ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6647

ZX Interface 1 with Microdrive problems

Does anyone know best way to debug a microdrive. I seem to have a faulty one. When hooked to my Spectrum via ZX Interface 1, it formats a microdrive cartridge anywhere from 2K to about 35K. I can even save and load a program. It's never consistent and mostly settles on between 15 and 20K. The same m...
by bwinkel67
Mon Mar 13, 2023 7:26 am
Forum: Software
Topic: ZX81 to ZX Spectrum conversion possible
Replies: 59
Views: 200584

Re: ZX81 to ZX Spectrum conversion possible

I got a reply from Charlie: The vLA82 analogue circuitry is fairly close to the later Sinclair ULAs but ended up slightly more sensitive. I'll send you the schematic... Speaking of sensitivity, I also tried my 4th generation ULA (out of 5) with different volume levels (between 70% and 100% at 5% inc...
by bwinkel67
Sun Mar 12, 2023 2:55 am
Forum: Software
Topic: ZX81 to ZX Spectrum conversion possible
Replies: 59
Views: 200584

Re: ZX81 to ZX Spectrum conversion possible

So I got ZX Slowloader to work on my 48K Spectrum with the vLA82 replacement ULA from Charlie Ingley. So indeed, the version of the ULA seems to matter. With the ULA clone, it was able to pick up the ZX81 audio at any level, but interestingly, only read it in when I moved it to about 80% (usually I ...
by bwinkel67
Sun Mar 12, 2023 2:36 am
Forum: Z88
Topic: Z88 LCD panel
Replies: 22
Views: 24765

Re: Z88 LCD panel

The service manual is available on line at https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki/display/welcome/Cambridge+Z88 (it's in there somewhere, although I get an annoying "Browser not supported" error since they changed something a while ago :evil: ) Anyway, the relevant paragraph says: <quote> 1.2 Adjustmen...
by bwinkel67
Mon Mar 06, 2023 12:58 am
Forum: WANTED
Topic: Looking for ZX Interface 1
Replies: 0
Views: 6536

Looking for ZX Interface 1

I'm in the US and new to the Spectrum. Looking for a working ZX Interface 1 (don't need packaging or microdrive). Hard to find on in the US.